Bridge of Teran-woo
Bridge of Teran-woo is a Dynastic play by Ledaal Shinjo, adapted from fragments of Shogunate history, southern lore and Immaculate commentaries. It is centered on the eponymous battle from the last days of the Balorian Crusade, where small units of Dragonblooded and spirit auxiliaries desperately hold the the line of battle against the Rain Princes. It is the first play written by Shinjo not only for other artists and high society darlings, but for a wider Dynastic audience and the Immaculate devout.
Plot
Bridge of Teran-woo begins with the beleaguered forces of shozei Rava, commander of troops under the banner of the daimyo of Arjuf. They are beset by one of the fell Rain Princes and its monsters, committed to a final stand until rescue appears in the form of a Shogunal detachment under shozei Kurosa Pashii, commander of a nearby garrison. The fighting is fierce, with Pashuu taking a grave wound, but the day is won. The combined Dragonblooded units make immediate plans to march to the Shogunal outpost of Tsuhikraal.
Meanwhile taizei Dark-of-Night fields reports on the state of the Fae incursions across all the southern provinces. Tsuhikraal has orders from high command to reinforce multiple places where the chumyo believes they may see a push through to the inner territories; Dark-Of-Night laments that the Legion lacks reserves enough to protect each objective and meet every threat.
Rava, Pashuu and their troops arrive to a hearty celebration from the soldiers of Tsuhikraal, their victory cause for cheer even in the face of such dire circumstance. Pashuu's injuries mean he has little time left; he gathers Rava and Dark-of-Night and implores them to work together for the defense of Creation.
There is a great deal of friction between the two officers as operations continue under their joint command. Orders continue from the chumyo, authorizing further conscription of any local populations. Their quality is suspect, but Rava argues that every spear is needed. Requests for proper supply are deferred or ignored, and the cascading lists of the dead grow with every report to their superiors. Worse, the spirits of the south have taken advantage of the chaos to enrich their coffers at the expense of the mortal communities.
Dark-of-Night cautions against wasting resources on religious matters, but Rava carries a deep respect for the Immaculate Philosophy and cannot abide the corruption. She resolves to handle the situation by confronting the greatest offender alone to set an example to all others. Despite her comrade's objections she sets out for the palace of Swan Dragon, the Southern Censor.
The abode of Swan Dragon is filled with all manner of debauchery, a den of inequity and idle pleasures while the rest of the south lives in terror and poverty. Shozei Rava demands audience with the Censor and his servants make way. Facing the corrupt Censor, she decries the opulence of his court while her soldiers must make do on half rations of salted beef and hard bread, while mortals bleed and starve. They engage in a dance of wits, debating his authority to tithe mortals of their lands and children, his greedy business dealings in a time of struggle and need, even his existence as a being separate from his duty to the Perfected Hierarchy. Although Rava leaves without any promise that the evils will stop, Swan Dragon is left questioning the right course of action.
Production
dance stuff
